First things, first. I had a shocking death in the family Wednesday and would like to let you guys know that my participation and contributions will be sporadic. If things happen, and I don't post them, you're more than welcome to act as contributor in the FanPosts (on the right). If you have ideas, discussions or whatever else, post them. I'll log in and promote the stories to the main section so we keep things rolling. This will need to be a team effort for awhile. I appreciate whatever contributions (content) that you guys put out.

Kevin Goheen analyzes the Bengals secondary.

Ahmad Brooks recovery isn't going as well as he'd like. As a result, the team is keep him off the field so he can continue recovering. Which, of course, hurts him because it appears that Brooks will be learning a new positions (SAM).

The Bengals supposed "new" defense (likely a base with four down linemen) will actually be a married defense that the Bengals and Falcons used last year.

Carson Palmer is just one of many that are excited after seeing Perry on the field, saying. "He's such a threat out of the backfield. We just don't know how good he can really be because he hasn't put together an entire year and stayed healthy."

And Palmer isn't worried one bit about Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh doing their own personal things during OTAs. "I'm happy and excited to be back on the field myself, whether they're here or not. I'm excited to be back with these guys, the guys that are here." That's definitely the team leader.

Chris Henry chatted with Adam Schein and Soloman Wilcox this week. While he said that he and Pacman Jones are like brothers, have learned from their mistakes, yada, yada, yada, he also said, "Only I know that I really ain’t in the wrong for anything. I’m fine. I’m kind of hurt being released from the Bengals because I really did think I was going to be here for a long time."

It was pointed out by loyal reader IgnatiusJReilly, that Eric Henderson, a hybrid DE/LB (if that's even the case) worked mostly with the defensive ends during Tuesday's OTA. Geoff Hobson projects that the Bengals will keep seven linebackers and four defensive ends. In 2007, the Bengals kept seven linebackers. In 2006, they kept eight.

If they keep eight (the higher number), we can project the following will make the team:

1. Odell Thurman
2. Keith Rivers
3. Dhani Jones
4. Ahmad Brooks
5. Rashad Jeanty
6. Corey Mays
7. Brandon Johnson
8. Darryl Blackstock

Guys like Jim Maxwell, Anthony Hoke and Dan Howell, unless they blow our freaking mind (man) will be casualties when the Bengals need to bring the roster to 53.

Now, let's presume the eight defensive linemen (a constant number in 2006 and 2007):

1. Antwan Odom (DE)
2. Robert Geathers (DE)
3. John Thornton (DT)
4. Domata Peko (DT)
5. Michael Myers (DT)
6. Jonathan Fanene (DE/DT)
7. Pat Sims (DT)
8. Eric Henderson (DE)

Guys like Titus Adams, Michael Marquardt and Antwon Burton would be the defensive line's casualties. But, as you noticed, where does Pat Sims go? As it is, the Bengals have three true defensive tackles and Fanene that's played end and tackle. He just signed a three-year deal, so we'd assume that the Bengals will dump Rucker in favor of Sims. Then where does Jason Shirley go? Obviously the Bengals won't let Odom, Geathers, Peko or Fanene go. Myers could be cut, as could Thornton (salary cap). But that's putting a lot more faith on a character guy that I believed the Bengals wouldn't take. Anyway, I removed Myers and Rucker.

1. Antwan Odom (DE)
2. Robert Geathers (DE)
3. John Thornton (DT)
4. Domata Peko (DT)
5. Pat Sims (DT)
6. Jonathan Fanene (DE)
7. Eric Henderson (DE)
8. Jason Shirley (DT)

It would seem to me, with those two units, that the Bengals are already set. Unless, of course, the underdogs start blowing people's minds. Guys like Myers and Rucker could be the first to go and the linebackers, Johnson and Blackstock aren't guaranteed a spot at all.

A May 12 New York Times article documented Reggie Williams' after he retired from the NFL.

Eric Ghiaciuc, Jordan Palmer, Mike Zimmer and Eric Ball showed up for the May 10 Turkey Hunt with Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

OTAs were off to a great start with the Bengals two primary running backs.

The Bengals didn't re-sign Bennie Brazell, but he showed up anyway.

Shaun Alexander was named the 2005 NFL MVP, the 2005 AP Offensive Player of the Year, the 2005 FedEx Ground NFL Player of the year and winning the Best Record Breaking Performance and Best NFL Player at the ESPY's. Alexander rushed for 132 yards on 34 carries in the 2005 NFC Championship game. In March (2006), Alexander became the highest paid running back in NFL history signing an eight-year, $62 million contract.

So who would have thought at the time that the Bengals wouldn't sign Alexander because they believe Chris Perry is back. Nevermind the constant injuries and the relaxed exhale when Perry stands up after being tackled. Nevermind the risk that the Bengals are taking hoping that Rudi Johnson is beef-cake. BEEFCAKE! It's the story of running back's who seemingly degrade so quickly that they become average quickly. Perhaps it's contract fulfillment. Perhaps it's simply being beaten up so much that you hesitate. Perhaps it's just age -- save for the elites in the game, age cripples running backs quickly.

I won't pretend to know. But when you look back, with the season that Alexander had, it was crazy to think that Chris Perry would deny his return home.

Here's the added interest. Alexander isn't just unsigned, but there appears to be zero interest in the league for him. The Saints were interested, but it was reportedly a fact finding visit. Perhaps things will change once camp breaks. Like is Perry truly ready? Is Rudi Johnson "returned"? We'll see. As of now, the Bengals are pretty content with who they have at running back.

The starting gun you hear marks the start for voluntary camps -- the first of 12 practices. Linebacker is one of many positions where we're just not sure who will start, or even play.

The biggest story, thus far, is the return of Odell Thurman. The two questions are "where does he go?" and "will he even be ready?" Does he play middle linebacker like he did in 2005 nearly winning the defensive player of the year award? Personally, I think the Bengals would be foolish to not to play Thurman in the middle. He's our most talented linebacker, save Keith Rivers who we haven't seen play in a Bengals uniform yet.

Ahmad Brooks showed he can pass the rusher -- though mostly through the center. Do you put him in during passing downs in a 3-4 configuration overloading one side with Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom? Will Brooks even be with the team after accusations were made that he punched a woman? Will Rivers play weak-side and Dhani Jones strong-side? Where does that leave Rashad Jeanty? Will Jeanty beat out Jones and force Jones to back up and Special Teams?

From now until kickoff weekend, the Bengals certainly need to know where their pieces fall at linebacker.

If there stands a chance that Chris Perry is ready to go, the likelihood that the Bengals sign Shaun Alexander drops significantly unless they write off Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey and assume that Kenny Irons won't be playing 2008. Apparently Perry is ready to go for this week's voluntary on-field work. Even so, little is known about negotiations between Alexander and the Bengals other than they haven't happened as of Friday. My opinion is that if it hasn't happened yet, it probably won't.

Chris Perry was the Bengals wildcard during the team's 2005 AFC North Title run converting 31% of his 51 receptions for first downs while gaining 604 yards total on 112 touches (5.4 y/p). Since that season the Bengals are one game below .500 while Perry played in six (3-3) of 32 contests during that stretch.

The Bengals are 13-9 when Perry plays since 2004.

The general feel right now is that the Cincinnati Bengals HATE bloggers. I'm sure there's truth that they are annoyed by the constant ramblings of an incompetent owner, reports of a chaotic lockerroom and general negative press (mostly all the time), the feeling is that the Bengals went after one for reasons more than copyrighted material. Now, it should be understand: The Bengals aren't sending letters threatening lawsuits because they blog about the team, players, coaches or the constant (justified) bashing of the front office -- or we would have been knocked down long ago; only that Stripe Hype used copyrighted material.

In one sense, I actually do understand the point of keeping your own work (that's where my understanding ends). On the other hand, blogs like us provide a free opportunity for the Bengals to get their word out to fans. Using their logo should be a small price to pay for free word of mouth. Instead, their intentions of protecting their work backfired. And to be honest, I was hoping for some commentary from Cincinnati based media on the issue. I guess the drawback from being traditional media is that you lack the opportunity of promoting your voice (reason #1 why I never aim to be a sports journalist).

(Note: the leaders of SB Nation took great care avoiding these type of issues, so we don't use the Bengals material nor does our site's name reference 'Bengals')

The lack of understanding won't stop over-reactions from others -- which is totally at the fault of the Cincinnati Bengals. For instance Who Dey Revolution simply states that Mike Brown hates freedom saying "he seems bent on now silencing the teams biggest fans". From my understanding, the cease and desist letter had nothing to do with content or voice -- there was no content changes, revisions or deletions. Though I completely agree that this issue just adds to a list of things that keep wearing out fans until their base dwindles to a singularity. I also agree that the Bengals are not only wasting their time, but damaging their own PR cred (as if they had any) in which, ironically enough, bloggers will be forced to repair to justify using our free time, with free coin, to talk about the team (even some of it good!). Even so, it's getting pretty tiring when we're inundated with this team's trivial rest stop bathroom antics against fans.

However, this issue really isn't about new media vs. traditional media. If Stripe Hype received permission to the logo, nothing happens and they're allowed to do what they will. The worst part about this whole parade lap of "beat the fans down" is that the main blogger took the fall and resigned soon after -- David, call me! -- though we're not sure if he was forced out or left on his own accord. Not that it really matters.

If this issue were about the team going around and telling bloggers to stop blogging about the team, then we'd have war on our hands. A fight that all bloggers -- who are a tight-nit community -- would readily fight. Legally, the Bengals really can't do much more than fight for their own product -- i.e., images, articles on Bengals.com etc.. Fortunately, this isn't a new media vs. traditional media fight -- though as you can tell reading through the internet, some are drooling at the prospect.

So I suppose we can nickname this off-season the "Suicide Sessions". First, it was Chad Johnson's character from fun-loving to egomaniacal minion of Oil Slick. Now it's the Bengals' suicide PR campaign against their own fans.

What's interesting about the Shaun Alexander sweepstakes is that the two teams that have publicly expressed interest (Bengals and Saints), have two running backs coming off injury in Rudi Johnson and Deuce McAllister. The Bengals let Alexander on the plane without offering a deal while he concluded the visit was "a good visit". If Alexander were to sign with his home town team, then the Bengals would use him as a backup to Rudi Johnson and an "insurance policy" if (or should we say 'when') Chris Perry goes down for the season.

In related running backs news, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis expects Chris Perry "to be on the field when the voluntary camps start May 13"

After the Bengals released two linebackers, a scenario developed when serious allegations were brought against Ahmad Brooks for punching a Kentucky woman in the left eye. Whether or not they're true, and it's likely the entire country has already made up their mind, it puts a serious spotlight, once again, on the Bengals. Thus becomes the catch-22 for the team. If you don't release Brooks immediately, the Bengals will harbor women beaters. Granted, the allegations still have to be proven, but until they are, it's the perception. If they do release Brooks immediately, and the allegations prove false, then the team loses out on Brooks potential -- then again, it's not like he's proven anything on the field except for a few sacks. Brooks' loss becomes Odell Thurman's gain.

With the team's attempt at zero tolerance, and Chancellor Roger Goodell coming down hard on players, I wouldn't suspect that Brooks will be around much longer. Changing your team's image and perception doesn't include keeping players on roster that have allegations of punching a woman in the face. And lord knows that the Bengals attempt at changing perceptions is becoming either a task too big to handle, or a front to ease public perception.

But likely, judgment from fans, media and general observers have already made up their mind because of the recent known history of Bengals players. Most people will simply blame Marvin Lewis for bringing in these types of characters. Perhaps justified. Though I've made the point in the past that there seems to be struggle with the Bengals finding the balance between winning (with players known to have character problems) and being a bunch of good guys (while the team struggles to win). It's not impossible, though the Bengals struggle still to find that balance.

If Brooks is suspended from the league -- we know that Goodell will suspend even though they haven't been arrested or charged with anything -- then that would open the door for Odell Thurman -- say it with me... if... he's... ready -- to play outside linebacker opposite Dhani Jones. Thurman will have to beat out Rashad Jeanty who's played the position for the past two years while Thurman was working construction in Georgia.

In the meantime, a guy that's labeled as "high character" with the potential of long-lasting stability on defense with big-time leadership, is set to report to rookie camp Friday morning. The general belief is that Rivers is set to become the team's starting middle linebacker -- if everything goes accordingly.

Running back?

Running back?

That was my initial reaction when it became known that the Bengals were looking early in the 2008 NFL Draft for a running back. Then Chris Perry and Rudi Johnson stepped up their off-season conditioning and rehab impressing Lewis enough to forgo the position addressing other needs. If that wait-and-see scenario, a best case scenario, fulfills the team's basic re-designation of successful rushing to off-set the terrible degradation the past two seasons, then perhaps a hope, prayer and a wait-and-see approach will benefit the team in the long run. Consider for an instant that if the Bengals went running back early, then they'd not have Keith Rivers or Pat Sims -- two guys this team desperately needs. One or the other, but not both. Then again, perhaps the team could have used the second pick for a running back rather than receiver. To be honest, the Bengals used their first three picks well. I haven't a qualm in the world about any of them.

Since 2003, Marvin Lewis has drafted two running backs -- three if you count Jeremi Johnson. Chris Perry and Kenny Irons have spent considerable amount of time off the field with injuries. Serious injuries. In four seasons, Perry has played in 34% out of a possible 64 games. Other than 2005, Perry's career-high of games played in a single-season is six (2006). Between Irons and Perry, neither took a single snap in 2007.

Rudi Johnson gutted out a bad hamstring and ineffective line blocking all season -- he just couldn't do it. It was around this time that Kenny Watson started to blossom and fans became excited about what DeDe Dorsey could string together. It was almost like Watson replaced Rudi as the feature back and Dorsey, when given the chance (which wasn't much) took the role of third-down back as best as we could expect. But that's what happens to a team that finishes 7-9.

We know that Perry is recovering well and has "impressed" the head coach. Same for Rudi. It's generally believed that Kenny Irons won't be ready for the season likely placed on PUP for the first six weeks of the season. And it's unknown if he'll be ready even then. Watson will be in the mix bringing us to three running backs to start the season. If the team keeps Dorsey -- for some reason, I've never really felt that the team has been impressed with him enough to utilize him fully -- the Bengals would likely be set with Jeremi Johnson rounding out the group.

But this is why I call it a hope-and-prayer, or wait-and-see, scenario. Perry has come into seasons healthy before. Yet, he falls eventually. Running backs degrade so quickly in the NFL that not a great many people think that Rudi will return to old form. Watson is serviceable, but he's hardly the league's premier back and Dorsey is a small scat back that's best used on third downs -- screen passes, dumps, draws, etc...

In the end, I believe the Bengals are right to give this cast of running backs one more chance. But in the end, it could also be the team's undoing. And for the love of god, don't sign Shaun Alexander.